… for mulch piles, these plants take one final star turn. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, even in death, plants have one final performance. As the days shorten, leaves fall, and the season … and then their ultimate removal. It felt like they deserved a proper sendoff.” That shift in perspective transformed the project. Instead of a display about mushrooms, it has become an … king trumpet mushrooms, carnations – fresh cuts Sustainability, reimagined The Last Show is a thoughtful reminder of the Garden’s commitment to sustainability, celebrating renewal …
Type: Blog
… shape of the tree or shrub. Branches should be at least 1 foot long, cut when the temperature is above freezing. Lay branches overnight in a bathtub filled with room-temperature water. Make cross cuts in stem ends or smash the ends of very large branches so they can quickly take up water. Arrange …
Type: Plant Info
… Gardens and gardening are among the great joys in life. Mosquitoes can take a bite out of this pleasurable pastime unless preventive strategies are taken to minimize problems. West Nile virus is a disease that targets primarily birds, horses, and humans. It is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has previously bitten a diseased bird. Most mosquitoes in the Chicago area are annoying but pose no serious health hazard. The Illinois Department of …
Type: Plant Info
… There’s still plenty to enjoy in the garden in August and September. Later-blooming perennials, annuals, and shrubs can provide color for … good-looking, late-season wonders for your garden. Butterfly bush (Buddleja) Butterfly bush is a magnet for flower-feeding butterflies, bees, and other insects. This woody perennial ranges …
Type: Plant Info
… Amalea Tshilds Amalea Tshilds and Jason Hammel, owners of Lula Café in Chicago, promote sustainable agriculture. Their Heirloom Pepper Terrine bursts with local … including heirloom tomatoes and purple potatoes. Amalea and Jason recently won StarChefs.com’s Rising Stars award. Makes 8 servings Ingredients 5 pounds heirloom peppers 3 pounds red … of peppers and peel. Separate the red peppers for puree and marinate the heirloom peppers in olive oil and salt to taste. Peel and slice the purple potatoes one eighth of an inch thick. …
Type: Page
… Winter is always a good time to slip into a chair with some hot chocolate and do a little reading. A … that will help them improve their own gardens. Staff Favorites Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, is immersed in garden history this winter. She’s reading The History of Horticulture in America to 1860 by …
Type: Plant Info
… The most common tree in the Chicago area is from Europe—and that’s bad news for our native plants and animals. Introduced to the United States in the early 1900s as an ornamental plant and privacy hedge, common buckthorn ( Rhamnus …
Type: Blog
… Description: The Garden's largest member of the swallow family is the purple martin. Look for them flying around or perched on the large, aluminum birdhouses on poles at various locations around the Garden. Anyone walking the Garden perimeter in spring and summer is sure to notice the mini apartment complexes filled with purple birds flying in and out of their homes and calling “pew-pew.” These purple martins, fascinating to watch, …
Type: Birding
… Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’ or Clematis viticella 'Etoile Violette' grows to 12 feet in height and is covered in early summer with deep purple, 4-inch blooms with cream centers. In fall the fluffy seed heads …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… With winter approaching, it is time to think about overwintering those wonderful tender perennials, Mediterraneans, and tropical plants that you have grown to love over the summer. In this class, you will learn which plants will overwinter successfully and which ones are best to compost and buy new in spring. You will learn the best techniques and secrets of success to keep your tender plants …
Type: Item Detail
